Form for stack construction.



No- 877,768. PATBNTED JAN. 28 1908,

- P. HEAD.

FORM FOR STACK CONSTRUCTION. APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

in a 0 .No. 877,768. PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908.

, P. HEAD.

FORM FOR STACK GOJNSTRUOTIO N.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 29, 1907.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2. Z

F. HEAD. FORM FOR STACK CONSTRUCTION.

PATENTED JAN. 28, 1908.

APPLICATION nun MAR. 29 1907.

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THE NORRIS PETERS 00.. WASHINGTON, o. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS HEAD, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

FORM FOR STACK CONSTRUCTION.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 28, 1908.

Application file a c 29, 1907- Serial No. 365.411.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANoIs' HEAD, a citizen of the United States, residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented certain Improvements in Forms for Stack Const-ruction, of which the following is a specification.

One object of my invention is to provide a: relatively simple, easily manipulated sec shape (though: as a matter of fact actually tapering), which may be contracted in diameter as the construction of the stack is proceeded with, together with means whereby said forms may be maintained at any desired diameter to which they are adjusted, necessary for the formation of any part of the stack between its top and bottom.

I further desire to provide forms particularly adapted for use in construction of stacks, which shall be capable of being so arranged that one of them may be used inside of the other to form an annularspace which may be filled in with concrete to form the stack, these forms being maintained at any desired diameters by devices capable of permitting adjustment of the forms to vary their diameter as the stack is built.

It is also'desired to rovide a form or forms capable of diametrica adjustment to permit of their use in the construction of a stack tapering in diameter from .bottom to top either uniformly or in any other desired manner.

These and other advantageous ends I secure as hereinafter set forth, reference being had to-the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1, is a side elevation of a concrete stack constructed according to my invention; Fig. 2, is a sectional perspective view illustrating the manner of using 'my improved forms in constructing a stack; Fig. 3,is a perspective view of one set of contractible forms which may be used in the construction of the stack shown in Figs. 1 and 2 Fig. 4, is a plan illustrating, to some extent diagrammatically, the arrangement of the plates constituting the form illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3, when said form is designed for use as the outside mold for a stack or similar structure; Fig. 5, is a plan illustrating my improved form when designed for use as the inside mold for a stack; Fig. 6, is a plan of the templet which mav'be used in connection with both of the fdrms illustrated inFigs. 4

and 5. Fig. 7, is a vertical section on a somewhat larger scale, illustrating the means for connecting the lates of one form or section to those of t e next adjacent form;.

Fig. 8, is a vertical section illustrating the application of the tern let to one ofthe plates constituting an e ement of my form; Fig. 9, is a plan illustrating a special form of the construction shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 10,

is a plan of a modified form of my invention, illustrating a contractible form in its position of maximum diameter; Fig. 11, 1sa plan of the form shown in Fig.10, illustrating it with its parts in positions corresponding;

to its minimum diameter; Fig. 12, is'aperspectlve view, partly in section, lllustrating the application of that form of my invention shown in Figs. 10 and 11 to the construction of a tapering concrete stack, and Figs. 13 and 14 are plans illustrating another modification of my invention.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 8 inclusive, it will be seen that the preferred form of my invention consists of a number of iron or steel plates A each slightly curved so as to form together a cylindrical casing; and each projecting outside the plate on one side of it and inside the plate on the other side. The bottom of each plate is provided with a lug (1 having in its lower face a recess or socket, while the top of each plate is provided with a lug at having a pin a capable of fitting into the recess of the lugs a of another set of plates. I also preferably provide each plate withsome form of supporting devices such as small knees or angle sections a and a for the purpose of carrying ropes or cables B, whereby the various plates may be not only held together but drawn or caused to slide upon one another so as to decrease the diameter of the structure as a whole. or cables B have their ends connected in any desired manner, and one connection which I have found to be satisfactory consists of a loop a extending between the two adjacent ends of the cable and having in it a transverse bar a whereby it may be twisted after the manner of a tourniquet,

These two ropes l" I further provide a templet to fit over the pins (1 on the upper ends of the plates A, it being noted that the lugs a supporting said pins are placed so that their upper surfaces are adjacent to the upper edges of said plates. While it is obvious that such a spacing templet may be given any desired form, I prefer to use a ring of angle iron as indicated at D in Fig. 6. With such an arrangement it will be understood that the upwardly projecting flange d of this section makes the ring as a whole relatively rigid, while the inwardly projecting web d provides a surface in which I form a number of sets of holes (1 the holes of each set being of successively different distances from the center of the ring, and of such diameter as to conveniently fit over or receive the pins (L The holes of each set are generally arranged on a curve eccentric to the center of the templet and are designed to receive one pin in the various adjusted positions of the plate on which said pin is mounted. It will be understood that the sectional form so far described is particularly designed to serve as the outside mold for a stack, while for the inside mold, I provide an arrangement of plates very much the same, but with their lugs arranged to project inwardly, as indicated in Fig. 5. In this case as in that illustrated in Fig. 4:, each plate overlaps the plate on one side of it and is overlapped by the plate on the other side of it, and also is provided near its top edge with an inwardly projecting lug (1, having a pin a for the reception of a tem plet D of the same general character as that illustrated in Fig. 6, though of a different diameter. Similarly, the lower edge of each late has a lug having a recess in its lower ace for the reception of a pin a belonging to a plate below it. Of course, if the inside of the stack is to be tapered, this inner templet is provided with a number of sets of holes similar to the outer templet, while if the internal diameter of the stack is uniform from top to bottom, said templet is provided with but a single hole for the pin of each plate.

In constructing a stack, I first mount an inner form such as that illustrated in Fig. 5, on a suitable foundation, and space its plates by means of a templet D so that said form as a Whole has its maximum diameter. In order to do this I place each pin a in that one of the holes d farthest from the center of the templet D, and for the lowermost or first form so used I provide any desired means for preventing its lower edge from spreading or collapsing. Around this first or inner form I concentrically mount the outer form consisting of the plates A and their associated parts. These latter plates are spaced by their templet D so that they overlap to a 'minimum extent and consequently result in the outer form having its maximum diameter. As before, this result is accomplished by placing the pins a in the outermost holes al of each group of holes in the templet. The holding ropes or cables B and B are then put in position, the lower one partic ularly being set up to an extent su'l'licient to prevent the lower portions of the plates A from spreading out relatively to each other. The annular space between the two forms is then filled in with concrete, after which a second inner form is mounted upon the first inner form, the templet D being first re moved and the plates of this second form being so placed that the recesses in their lower lugs receive the pins (i while the templet is in turn mounted upon the upper end of the second form. The pins a of the second set of plates A are each made to enter the second hole in its particular set of holes in the templet D, so that While the lower part of second inner form is still of an eXter nal diameter equal to that of the first inner form, the external diameter of the upper portion of said form is slightly less than that of the first form by a predetermined amount. I then mount upon the first outer form, a second set of plates A, fitting the lugs a over the pins a of said first form and mounting the templet D upon the upper edges of the plates of the second form so that the pins of thereof enter the second of the holes of each set, thus, as inthe case of the inner form, making the diameter of the upper end of the second outer form slightly less than that of the lower end thereof. It will thus be seen that the second form in each instance has its plates rigidly held in position or spaced, for the reason that the lugs on the lower ends thereof are engaged by pins of the first set of forms and their upper portions are held by their respective templets D and D. In order, however, to permit of thorough ramming I employ cables or ropes B and B as described in connection with the first set of forms, tightening them. by means of the tourniquets a and a. The second annular space is then filled in with concrete and the construction of the stack is proceeded with in the manner described, although it will be understood that owing to its tapering form it is perfectly practical to support each of the forms upon the one below it.

In the case of the inner forms any desired means may be used to hold these in position or as above noted the stack may be made of uniform internal diameter and tapering outside diameter.

If desired each plate may be provided with a sling or other holding means as shown in Fig. 3, where C represents a length of rope having its ends attached to loose rings 0 as shown, so that when it is desired. to remove a form, this may be very easily done by undoing its tourniquet and loosening the various plates after which the form may be plates where these overlap each other, and if.

desired I may, as hereinafter described, take advantageof this construction to materially increase the strength of the stack against I wind stresses and the like.

It will be further understood by those skilled in the art that by'the above described means -I am enabled to maize a stack which tapers uniformly or-in any other desired mannerfrom the bottom to the top, employing for this purpose forms of very simple and substantial construction which may be conveniently manipulated or adjusted.

?If desired, instead of making the plates constituting my forms so that these overlap each other, I may, as shown in Fig. 9, so construct and arrange them that they will all lie inthe same cylindrical surface, in such case employing in connection with said plates, vertically extending clamping plates 0 and c of a length equal to the vertical length of the plates and of a width greater than the maxi mum distance required between adjacent vertical edges of the plates. I provide bolts c -having wedges c for holding them in position to retain one -clamping plate in engagement with the inside surface of the plates A and theotherin engagement with the outer surface of said plates. The plates A are so designed that at the lower port-ion of the stack they have their vertical edges at a maximum distance apart, the spacesbetween said plates being-spanned by the clamping plates c and c. In order to diminish the diameter of the form as the height of the staclgis increased, the wedges c are loosened and'the platesi drawn together by their bands B and B iintilthey occupy the position determined by'their templet as before described.

"In that form of my device illustrated in Figs. '10and 11, I make my form of a number of sections A each of which consists of a pair of staves f and f, of trapezoidalsection, thesides of each pair being hinged back to back at their innercorner-s as indicated atf and-each stave f being hinged to the stave f ofan'adjacentpairat their sharp edges f It will -be'understood that certain or all of thesestaves are provided with upwardly proj ecting pins on their upper side for the reception of the 'templet 'Dand have on their lowerportionrecessed lugs or their equivalents for the reception of the pins of another set of staves. In starting the construction of the stack with forms of the above type, I

mount the first form so that the various parts occupy the relative positions as shown in Fig. 10. Each pair of staves is then so arranged that its 'two elements f and f are back to back, while the various staves together internally define an almost perfect circle. As before, a second set of forms of the same general construction as illustrated in Fig. 10, is mounted .uponthe first set with their lugs over the pins of the staves thereof and the pins on their upper ends in engagement with the second hole of each set of holes in the templet.

ln order to render possible the resulting contraction in the diameterof the upper end of the second form, it will be seen that each pair of stavesf and f instead of being back to back, move on their hinges f in order to permit of the inward movement of the'hinges or pivots f, the pivot lines of which may be extended to form the pins for the reception of the templet. As a consequence, the figure defined by the'form, and consequently the contour of the part of the stack constructed therefrom is slightly corrugated. Moreover, as the external diameter of the stack .is decreased'during the progress of its building, the successive inward movements of the pivot pins f of the various sets of staves cause the corrugations to getdeeper, until, when the forms have finally been contracted to their minimum diameter and the stack is completed, the corrugations are in the forms of angular ribs whose sides are at angles offor example to each other. At this time the various parts of the form occupy the relative positions shown in Fig. 11. It will be understood that the stack resulting from forms of such construction Will, by reason of the vertical ribs, be 'materially stronger, particularly in regard to its ability to resist bending stresses, than would a stack or other structure havinga smoothe-xterior surface.

While I have described and illustratedbut a single annular templet with a number of sets of holes for spacing the plates of the forms in order to construct a tapering stack, it will be understood that it may in some cases be advisable to contract the diameter of the forms 'by relatively small increments so that one templetcould not conveniently be-constructed to provide all the necessary holes for the various adjusted positions of the plates. In such case, I provide a number of templets of successively decreasing diameters and provide each of them with a set of holes d preferably arranged as shown in Fig. 6.

It is of course obvious that for convenience in moving and raising the forms constructed as shown in Figs. 10 and 11, the various sets of staves arenot necessarily all permanently connected to each other, but may be separably oined in a number of sections, as-may be found convenient.

' Further, while I preferably use lugs and pins in order to roperly mount the templets upon their orms and the forms upon each. other, it is obvious that there are other equivalent devices capable of suitably positioning these various parts, and while I have shown but a single lug and a single pin on each plate a greater number of these parts may be employed without departing from my invention. v

In some instances I may replace the various types of forms hitherto described by relatively flexible metallic or other plates A of generally rectangular outline, hinged together along their respective adjacent vertical edges, in a number of sections, as illus trated in Figs. 13 and 14. It will be understood that as before, each plate or pair of plates is provided near its upper horizontal edge with a pin and at its lower horizontal edge with a recessed lug or some equivalent device. When the construction of a stack is started with this type or form, the first course of concrete is placed in the form when its plates are in position to define a cylinder of maximum diameter said plates being sufficiently flexible to permit of its being bent so as to form part of the cylindrical surface. For the next course, the second form has its plates still further bent or curved into positions such as are shown in Fig. 14, being held in such position by a templet which engages the pins on the plates, and by the pins on'the first set of forms. As the building of the stack is continued, the various plates are caused to assume curved forms of successively smaller radii, and as before, this results in a stack of corrugated section which tapers in diameter from the bottom to the top, it being obvious that forms of this particular type may be used both internally and externally in building the stack.

I claim:-

1. The combination of two forms mounted end to end, each consisting of a plurality of circumferentially adjustable plates arranged to inclose substantially cylindrical spaces, pin and recess connections between the respective plates of the two forms, and a templet at one end of one of the forms having means whereby it is attached to the plates thereof, so as to positively hold the same in any of a number of adjusted positions, substantially as described.

2. A form consisting of a number of sections together defining a substantially cylindrical structure and capable of being moved relatively to each other to vary the diameter of said structure, a templet for spacing the said sections, with means for rigidly connecting the templet to the upper ortions of the sections so as to positively hold them in any one of a number of adjusted positions, substantially as described.

3. The combination of a series of sections constructed to serve as a form for a substantially cylindrical structure, and adjustable relatively to each other to vary the diameter of said structure, in combination with a second form, means for connecting the two forms to hold the lower portions of the sections of the first form in definite positions, and a templet for holding the upper ends of said sections in place, substantially as described.

4. A form consisting of a number of sections capable of adjustment to form a substantially cylindrical structure, means for maintaining the lower ends of said structures in predetermined positions, a templet for similarly holding the upper ends of said sections, and means for connecting the templet to each of the sections, said means including a pin on one of the members, and a series of recesses placed in the other member at different distances from the center of the cylindrical structure, substantially as described.

5. A form consisting of a number of overlapping plates arranged to provide a substantially cylindrical casing, independent devices for rigidly holding the tops and bottoms of said plates in any of a number of adjusted positions, with means independent of said devices consisting of a flexible band or bands having means for adjusting its length, for maintaining said plates in the form of a casing, substantially as (ilescribed.

6. A form consisting of a series of independent plates movable relatively to each. other and together forming a substantially cylindrical casing, a templet having means for positively connecting it to the upper ends of said plates in any of a number of adjusted positions of the latter, and means other than said templet for preventing movement of the plates relatively to each other after the templet has been placed in position, substantially as described.

7. A form consisting of a number of sections capable of adjustment relatively to each other to form a structure of varying diameter, there being projections on the upper portions of said sections and recesses at the lower portions of the sections capable of receiving projections, with a templet having a number of sets of openings for the reception of the projections on the sections, substantially as described.

8. A form consisting of a series of independent plates movable relatively to each other and having means for holding them together to form a casing of definite diameter, with a structure capable of independent and positive attachment to each plate in any of a number of adjusted positions for holding said plates in position to give the casing any of a number of different diameters, substan tially as described.

9. The combination of two forms consisting of a number of sections arranged to define two adjacent portions of a substantially cylindrical structure, said sections being adjustable relatively to each other to vary the diameter of the space inclosed by them, means for connecting the sections of the two forms so as to hold those of the upper form in any adjusted position, and a templet having means for holding the'sections of the upper portion of the upper form in any of a number of adjusted positions, substantially as described.

10. A form consisting of a number of overlapping plates arranged to provide a sub stantially cylindrical casing, with independent devices each capable of direct connection to each plate in any of a number of adjusted positions for holding the tops and bottoms of said lates an any adjusted position, substantially as described.

11. A form consisting of a number of sec tions movable relatively to each other and arranged to provide a substantially cylindrical casing, with a templet for said sections provided with a number of sets of holes, the holes of each set being different distances from the center of the casing, and there being projections on the sections capable of fitting into such holes, substantially as described.

12. A form consisting of a number of overlapping plates, each late having a rojecting pin at one end an a recess capab e of re-. ceivmg a pin at the other end, a circular tern let having a number of series of holes for t e reception of said pins, and means for retaining the plates in the form of a sub stantially cylindrical casing, substantially as described.

13. A form consisting of a series of substantially rectangular plates, of which each extends under the plate on one side of it and over the plate on its other side, a templet having means for rigidly and positively holding said plates in any number of positions to from a casing of a diameter varying between predetermined limits, and means for holding together the plates including a flexible band extending circumferentially around the structure, substantially as described.

14. A form for a concrete structure, consisting of two substantially cylindrical forms each consisting of a number of series of overlapping plates, means on the plates of the upper of said series for engaging the lower series of plates whereby said upper series is -maintained in position, and a templet having means for retaining in any of a number of adjusted positions the upper ends of the upper series of plates, substantially as described.

15. A form for a concrete structure consisting of an inner and outer series of overlapping plates, and independent templets for each series having means for rigidly holding the upper ends of the plates thereof in any of a number of predetermined adjusted positions, substantially as described.

16. A form for a concrete structure consisting of an inner and an outer series'of overlapping plates, templets respectively holding the upper ends of the plates of each series in any of a number of predetermined relative positions, said templets being rigidly connected to said plates, with other means for retaining the lower portions of each series of plates in place, substantially as described.

17. A form for a concrete structure consisting of a series of overlapping plates arranged to form a substantially cylindrical casing, a templet, and means for positively connecting said plate to said templet in any one of a number of adjusted positions to vary the diameter of the form, said templet and connecting means being designed to leave unobstructed the interior portion of the easing, substantially as described.

18. A number of mold sections mounted one above the other and each consisting of a series of vertically overlapping plates together forming a cylindrical structure, pin and recess connections between the respective plates of each series so placed that the lower series of plates spaces the upper series, a templet for spacing the upper ends of the plates of the upper section, with adjustable pin and recess connections between the said plates, and said templet whereby the diameter of the top of the upper section may be made difierent from that of the lower section, substantially as described.

19. A form for concrete structures consisting of a series of relatively adjustable plates arranged to define a substantially cylindrical space, lugs projecting into said space from the plates, a templet capable of engaging certain of said lugs to hold said plates in any of a number of adjusted positions, means in addition to said templet for also holding said plates in position, a second series of relatively adjustable plates extending around the first series of plates, so as to form therewith an annular space, projections on said outer plates, a second templet engaging certain of said projections for maintaining said second series of plates in any of a number of adjusted positions, and other means engaging the remainder of said projections for also holding said plates in position, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

I FRANCIS HEAD. 

